BOXING gloves owned by sporting legend Mohammed Ali went under the hammer in Chester yesterday - reaching three times the guide price.

Bonhams' estimated the lot would go for about £200 but they reached £646.

The gloves were part of a rare sporting memorabilia auction. The top bid was £16,450 for a complete run of Wisden's sports almanacs dating between 1864 and 2004.

One football fan paid £4,230 for the Royal Box Programme from the 1914 FA Cup final between Liverpool and Burnley. The near mint condition souvenir belonged to Sir Frederick Wall, the secretary of the FA between 1895 and 1934, and was entered into the sale by a direct descendent of his.

A shirt signed by Stephen Gerrard went for £141 and an official Liverpool European Cup winners top from 1977 with all the team's autographs sold for £188.

A spokeswoman from Bonhams' said:: "We have had some real rarities. The Wisden's was a particular highlight because it was a complete run and we also had some great pieces of footballing memorabilia."